EXCERPT: The first time I set eyes on Mcbeth, I knew he was the very pattern of manhood. Not simply that he was well-set and even-featured, though that was no mark against him. But although he was a little lower in rank than the man I was wedded to, he seemed more like a lord than Gille Coemgain. My husband was Mormaer of Moray, king of the north in all but name, Macbeth merely his cousin, bound to his side by blood and honour. All I knew of him before we came face to face was that his name meant son of life and that his men called him Deircc, the Red One. I assumed it was because his blade was drenched with blood.
I had not considered that it might refer to his fox-red hair. He looked like a man on fire, his eyes blazing blue as the heart of a lump of ice on a high moor. When his eyes settled on me, I knew he saw beyond Gille Coemgain's wife to the woman I was meant to be. But when my father had made a trade of me to Gille Coemgain, I had no choice. They allowed me to keep my three women with me, but only because they believed them to be powerless. That's a mistake men have made too often around women.

ABOUT 'QUEEN MACBETH': A thousand years ago in an ancient Scottish landscape, a woman is on the run with her three companions – a healer, a weaver and a seer. The men hunting her will kill her – because she is the only one who stands between them and their violent ambition. She is no she is the first queen of Scotland, married to a king called Macbeth.

As the net closes in, we discover a tale of passion, forced marriage, bloody massacre and the harsh realities of medieval Scotland. At the heart of it is one strong, charismatic woman, who survived loss and jeopardy to outwit the endless plotting of a string of ruthless and power-hungry men. Her struggle won her a country. But now it could cost her life.

MY THOUGHTS: I didn't realise, when I picked Queen Macbeth up, that it was a novella. I was expecting something more sweeping, more detailed, more in line with Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall if I am to be honest.

However, Val McDermid's writing is beautiful, and Queen Macbeth filled in a wet and miserable afternoon curled up by the fire.

⭐⭐⭐.5

#QueenMacbeth #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Val McDermid writes full time and divides her time between Cheshire and Edinburgh.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Grove Atlantic via Netgalley for providing a PDF of Queen Mcbeth by Val McDermid for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Queen Macbeth is a novella-length re-imagining of the story of Shakespeare’s second most famous duo - but based on the known history of the real 11th century Scottish king of that name. Told by his wife in two timelines, Gruoch is no longer a scheming villainess, but instead a brave woman trying to survive after losing the man she loves with her three companions who are not witches but wise women. I did Macbeth at school, but never either “got” or enjoyed Shakespeare until adulthood, and I couldn’t remember much of the plot, not ever having seen it as a play or movie, but a quick refresher (thanks internet) meant I could instantly see how much the plot diverges from that of the play - this is way more Outlander than Elizabethan tragedy.

Four years after King Macbeth was killed at the battle Lumphanan, Gruoch and her lifelong friends Eithne, Aife and Ligath are in hiding at a remote monastery by Loch Leven, but forces loyal to King Malcolm are closing in, and they must flee for their lives. Gruoch reminisces about how she met the handsome redheaded warrior when she was still married to her first husband, and fell hopelessly in love.

While this does use lots of traditional Scots words (there is a glossary at the end - why don’t publishers put them at the beginning - or at least tell you at the beginning that there is one?!) it’s surprisingly easy to read. I had fun with the various nods to Shakespeare that I did recognise - I’m sure those more familiar with the play will recognise more. My main complaint is that this could easily have been a full length novel, but other than this I really liked it.
NB it’s worth looking at Wikipedia for an explanation of why Shakespeare’s version is so different!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Queen Macbeth is published on 24th September.

I have always loved Shakespeare's "Macbeth", and I was intrigued by a fictional version that was more historically accurate. Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid is a short novel, however it didn't always feel like a quick read. There are moments when the story feels slow, periods of time in which very little happens, and then there are other moments where major action happens in the blink of an eye. I wanted more description in these crucial moments so I could feel as if I was there in the action. Instead, I was just surprised by the change of events and then I moved on.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read that brought new perspective to what I had already known.

I'd like to thank Netgalley for an ARC. In exchange, the above was my honest review.

This was always going to be five stars. Anything with Queen Macbeth is an honor to read and this one was fantastic. All the female rage in me just bloody ADORED this book

3.5 ⭐
I enjoyed this retelling of Gruoch and Macbeth. Since it has been many years, I probably could have used a little more information to recall some of the story. The author did give some background, which I found to be very helpful, but as I reader I could have benefited from a little more. I found this to be very well written, the pace and length were perfect, and I liked reading about Gruoch from a more positive perspective. I enjoyed this one!

I liked this book. I really liked it. I rated it 4 stars because I think this book needed more. I think it lacks something in it. I don't know quite what It is... but neverthless I recommend everyone to read this.

An alternative telling of the relationship between Gruoch and Macbeth. It’s an interesting concept, but some knowledge of the era and its clans is recommended, though the author does give a brief overview in her note at the beginning of the book.

I liked it and as always with McDermid the writing was first class.

Short and to the point, a story to ponder on.

Thanks for the Glossary, it was definitely useful!

Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic.

Wow Val what a great novel. Historical novel with strong female characters. Great world building it felt like you were there in the scenario with the characters. I really enjoyed this book, looking forward to others by this author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

As far as retellings, or based on stories, this one isn't bad? But in a way it relies too much on a knowledge of Macbeth rather than letting the story also live on it's own. The pacing was either very fast or very slow.

Well written but I feel like there’s something I’m missing. I’m not that familiar with Macbeth so for me the story never gets starts and it doesn’t really give me any answers. I prefer the first half and then the ending feels a little rushed. I assume some more familiarities with the Scottish play might make this better. For me the story never gets off its feet.